Answer:
(x - 1) (x + 1) (x - 4) (x + 4)
Step-by-step explanation:
actor the following:
x^4 - 17 x^2 + 16
x^4 - 17 x^2 + 16 = (x^2)^2 - 17 x^2 + 16:
(x^2)^2 - 17 x^2 + 16
The factors of 16 that sum to -17 are -1 and -16. So, (x^2)^2 - 17 x^2 + 16 = (x^2 - 1) (x^2 - 16):
(x^2 - 1) (x^2 - 16)
x^2 - 16 = x^2 - 4^2:
(x^2 - 1) (x^2 - 4^2)
Factor the difference of two squares. x^2 - 4^2 = (x - 4) (x + 4):
(x - 4) (x + 4) (x^2 - 1)
x^2 - 1 = x^2 - 1^2:
(x^2 - 1^2) (x - 4) (x + 4)
Factor the difference of two squares. x^2 - 1^2 = (x - 1) (x + 1):
Answer: (x - 1) (x + 1) (x - 4) (x + 4)
